Yes, the seed was brought in from Bogor city, Indonesia and planted in
West New Britain Province in the 1960s.This city which is 60 kilometers south of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta helped developed PNG’s National economy before
gaining political independence from Australia.

Housing estate in Bogor city,
Indonesia.

Mr Sungi who is an agriculturist by profession marvelouslyrevealed PNG’s proud link with Bogor city to
PNG Ambassador to Indonesia Commodore (rtd) Peter Ilau when both were touring
and admiring Bogor city.

And of course an equally proud Ambassador Ilau revealed this link when
introducing Mr Sungi to the Indonesian and PNG Inter Government Border Agencies
officers prior to Mr Sungi giving the opening statement for the 30th
Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting. And I can tell you, there was a sense of
pride hovering in the conference room at Hotel Salat when the surprised officers
from both countries applauded and clapped in joy when learning about the link.

The annual JBC meeting was to
discuss issues about managing the rugged 800km PNG-Indonesian border that runs
through mountainous and swampy terrains from Sandaun Province in the north to
the Western Province in the south. The Sandaun and Western Provinces borders
with the West Papua Province of Indonesia.

PNG-Indonesian
Border at Torasi River, Western Province.

An equally impressed with Mr Sungi were also the rest of the first timers
PNG Delegation who visited Bogor for a week during last month’s JBC meeting.

Although the arrangement to bring oil palm seeds is not known yet, all
I’m aware is that Indonesian colonizers (Dutch government) had set up
professional agricultural laboratories and, colleges in Bogor to develop
agricultural industries. So the World Bank might have been impressed about
Bogor’s agricultural research institutions and decided to bring oil palm seeds
from there.

Yes Bogor (in land area is much smaller than Port Moresby )has its own
challenges of high rates of poverty, housing, unemployment, inaccessibility to basic social services like health,
education. These challenges are caused by the inflow of poor residents of the
surrounding rural areas (PNG’s urban centers faces similar challenges). But there‘s
always respect for everyone and the environment. You can work alone in the
night or even in the Buildings back alleysor crowded markets without being harassed.

Back
street alley of a Housing estate in Bogor city, Indonesia

Despite a good road network system, Traffic jams are also a problem.
But there is always tolerance when a car, motor scooter or Becak (bicycle cart
for a maximum of two passengers)tries to cross
the traffic. We were also been told that despite the traffic jams, there is no
accidents.

This overcrowded city (much crowded than Port Moresby) depends heavily on the Informal economical sector where there is a huge selling of goods and providing of services on the streets outside public places like hotels and in shopping centers. But there is hardly any rubbish on the streets even though there is also the selling and chewing of betel nuts.

And transportation is not a problem where taxisandBecak are always available at a cheap rate.

Fly River Provincial Government border Liaison Officer Richard Aria getting a lift in a Becak in Bogor city, Indonesia.

Land outsideof the city are all occupied in agricultural activities like fish farming, cultivation of rice andvarious vegetables likecorn ,sweet potatos and the production of livestocks like cows,sheeps with poultry projects like chickens and ducks.

People were friendly with the PNG delegations although communication in Bahasa and English is a problem. But there is always an understanding of each other needs. Whether one wants transport to go to the major shopping centers, or buy fruits at the market or snacks from the street vendors, the residences are always ready to help.

And my goodness, the hotels are unbelievably so cheap compared to PNG standard. The six floorEfita Hotel that some of the PNG delegates stayed in was only K70 per night (Rupiahs 278,000). It has free continental breakfast and has all the facilities like a premiere hotel in PNG. In PNG a hotel like that can go for about K200 per night.

Efita Hotel

Efita hotel is located alongside an overcrowded street pasar aiyam (traditional market) area and it truly provided a home away of homeenvironment to us. Various Fruits and vegetables, poultry, beef, fish (even live fish) are sold here in abundance and at an unbelievable cheaper price. Fish goes for Rupiahs 5,000 (K1.25) per kg, chicken pieces for Rupiahs 30,000 (K7.50) per kg, vegetables Rupiahs 3000 (75 toea) per kg.

There is also a train station close by where you can get a train ride
to Jakarta.

Intercity
train rushing through Bogor to Jakarta

Yes PNG
especially Port Moresby (compared to Bogor has smaller population and large
spacious land area )is going through some tough changes like reformingits informal sector like betel nuts sales
banning in public places ,re-scoping
its current public transport system and road network.

The last frontiers

Blog Archive

About Me

I'm from Kwahwie village in Yangoru , East Sepik Province.
I'm a journalist with The National newspaper. I like to write stories to promote tourism in Papua New Guinea. I also like to write about people's daily livilihood in the rural areas